US3906469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic-electric position sensor
Assignee: Combustion Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-12
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Magnetic-electric position sensing apparatus is provided for sensing and indicating the position of a movable member. The apparatus comprises a magnet field generating assembly carried by and moving with the movable member and a plurality of magnetic flux responsive switches sequentially positioned along and parallel the path of travel of the field generating assembly. The magnetic field generating assembly comprises one or more magnets arranged to provide a magnetic flux pattern, which is substantially unaffected in its switch-actuating properties for variations of magnet-to-switch spacing within a limited range.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Eugene Kronk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/10; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/25; G01D5/251; G01D5/2515; G21C7/00; G21C7/06; G21C7/08; G21C7/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An electrical position sensor comprising: a. first and second members laterally spaced from one another and longitudinally movable relative to one another along a path substantially parallel said members in accordance with a condition to be sensed: b. electrical signal providing means inclUding a plurality of magnetic flux responsive devices positioned in close succession along said first member in the direction of said relative longitudinal motion, each device responsive to a threshold magnetic flux of a particular intensity and extending axially thereof to provide a signal indicative of at least said threshold flux being interactive therewith; c. magnet means carried by said second member and spaced laterally from said flux responsive devices proportional to said spacing between said first and second members for providing a magnetic field having an axial flux along at least part of the length of and beyond the ends of said magnet means and laterally thereof at least the distance to said flux responsive means of sufficient intensity to provide said particular threshold flux; and d. flux controlling means carried by said second member and positioned near said magnet means for reducing said axial flux beyond the ends of said magnet means and at said lateral distance to said flux responsive means to an intensity less than said threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrical position sensor comprising: a. first and second members laterally spaced from one another and longitudinally movable relative to one another along a path substantially parallel said members in accordance with a condition to be sensed: b. electrical signal providing means inclUding a plurality of magnetic flux responsive devices positioned in close succession along said first member in the direction of said relative longitudinal motion, each device responsive to a threshold magnetic flux of a particular intensity and extending axially thereof to provide a signal indicative of at least said threshold flux being interactive therewith; c. magnet means carried by said second member and spaced laterally from said flux responsive devices proportional to said spacing between said first and second members for providing a magnetic field having an axial flux along at least part of the length of and beyond the ends of said magnet means and laterally thereof at least the distance to said flux responsive means of sufficient intensity to provide said particular threshold flux; and d. flux controlling means carried by said second member and positioned near said magnet means for reducing said axial flux beyond the ends of said magnet means and at said lateral distance to said flux responsive means to an intensity less than said threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flux responsive devices each comprise at least one reed switch having its axis substantially parallel said path of relative motion; said magnet means is oriented parallel said reed switch axis; and said flux controlling means comprise ferromagnetic pole pieces proximate the end poles of said magnet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal center line of each said flux responsive device is laterally spaced from the longitudinal center line of said magnet means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second members are subject to variable lateral spacing relative to one another within a limited range and said flux controlling means reduce said axial flux beyond the ends of said magnet means to less than said threshold value for all lateral distances to said flux responsive means within said limited range of variable spacing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flux responsive devices each comprise at least one reed switch having its axis substantially parallel said path of relative motion; said magnet means is oriented parallel said reed switch axis; and said flux controlling means comprise ferromagnetic pole pieces proximate the end poles of said magnet means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electric position sensor comprising: a. first and second members longitudinally movable relative to one another along a path substantially parallel said members in accordance with a condition to be sensed; b. electrical signal providing means including a plurality of magnetic flux responsive electric devices fixedly positioned in succession along said first member in the direction of said relative longitudinal motion, each said flux responsive device operative to provide an electrical signal indicative of a certain magnetic flux interactive therewith; and c. a magnet assembly supported by said second member and spaced from said flux responsive devices, said assembly comprising two magnets arranged in magnetically opposing relationship and each having its respective poles spaced in the direction of said relative longitudinal movement, said assembly being sequentially positioned in juxtaposition with different said flux responsive devices by said relative movement and each said magnet providing said certain flux interactive with a said flux responsive device when laterally adjacent thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electric position sensor comprising: a. first and second members longitudinally movable relative to one another along a path substantially parallel said members in accordance with a condition to be sensed; b. electrical signal providing means including a plurality of magnetic flux responsive electric devices fixedly positioned in succession along said first member in the direction of said relative longitudinal motion, each said flux responsive device operative to provide an electrical signal indicative of a certain magnetic flux interactive therewith; and c. a magnet assembly supported by said second member and spaced from said flux responsive devices, said assembly comprising two magnets arranged in magnetically opposing relationship and each having its respective poles spaced in the direction of said relative longitudinal movement, said assembly being sequentially positioned in juxtaposition with different said flux responsive devices by said relative movement and each said magnet providing said certain flux interactive with a said flux responsive device when laterally adjacent thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second members are spaced from one another a distance which is variable within a limited range, said magnet also being spaced from said flux responsive devices in proportion to said spacing between said first and second members, and said certain magnetic flux is interactive with only a particular number of said flux responsive devices at any particular position along said path of relative longitudinal movement for all spacings within said range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said two magnets are longItudinal spaced from one another and include a ferromagnetic material extending therebetween having a higher flux saturation level than said magnets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each said flux responsive device comprises a magnetically actuated switch, each said switch being actuated to a particular state in response to substantially the same said certain magnetic flux interacting therewith and said signal providing means additionally include means connected to said plurality of flux responsive devices for providing signals indicative of particular said switches being in said particular state of actuation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said magnetically actuated switches are reed switches each oriented parallel said path of relative longitudinal movement and said two magnets are each permanent bar magnets having their poles longitudinally aligned and oriented parallel said path of relative longitudinal movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said reed switches are normally open and are actuated to the closed state by interaction with longitudinally directed magnetic flux of an intensity greater than a threshold value, said flux so directed and greater than said threshold value comprising said certain magnetic flux.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said particular number of reed switches actuated closed by said certain magnetic flux of said two magnets at any particular position along said path relative longitudinal movement is at least two.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said signal providing means include: a. a voltage source; b. means for generating a plurality of output voltages of different magnitude being connected across said voltage source; and c. means for applying individual of said plurality of output voltages to first terminals of individual of said reed switches and means connected to second terminals of each of said reed switches for providing a signal voltage passed by a closed reed switch to a readout device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3217307A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |